Catalog 150

(Toronto), Anansi, 1970. The hardcover issue of this book, his first to win the Governor General's Award. Signed by the author. Fine in a second state dust jacket with the announcement of the award printed on the front cover; trace edge rubbing, near fine. The hardcover issue of this title is easily his scarcest trade edition, with estimates of the print run tending to be in the range of 250 copies.   [#911108] $2,500

(Toronto), Coach House, 1973. The hardcover issue. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Only a small number were issued in hardcover.   [#911109] $2,250

NY, Beech Tree Books, (1985). The uncorrected proof copy of one of the most highly praised first novels of recent years -- a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and winner of the Rosenthal Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters for a book of "considerable literary achievement." Publication date written on front cover; near fine in wrappers. An uncommon proof, and an important debut.   [#911113] $1,000

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1980). The uncorrected proof copy of her first book and her only novel until Gilead, which won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. Housekeeping won the Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award, a Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Award, and was the basis for a well-received movie; it was also named one of the best works of American fiction of the last quarter century in a survey by The New York Times Book Review. Top corner a trifle bumped, still fine in wrappers. Laid in is a letter from an editor to John Fowles asking for his comments.   [#911122] $2,500

January 4, 1968[1969]. A note addressed "Dear Bert [Krantz]," thanking him for a card and then quickly adding that he has found two errors in the text of "PC" (Portnoy's Complaint), despite not having read the book through yet. He describes the errors and asks if they can be corrected in then second printing and whether Bantam will print from the second printing. Signed: "Make love, not typos,/ Yrs, Philip." Roth's dating of this letter is itself likely a typo: the book's official publication was in February of 1969; the letter was likely written in January of 1969. A bibliographically significant letter, pertaining to what may still be Roth's best-known work. Folded for mailing; recipient's marginal mark; author's name on verso; near fine.   [#911125] $1,500

(Great Britain), Privately Printed, 1989. A limited edition of two stories ("The Free Radio" and "The Prophet's Hair") by Rushdie, illustrated with five woodcuts and three linocuts by Bhupen Khakhar. Of a total edition of 72 copies, this is one of 60 numbered clothbound copies signed by the author. Fine in a fine slipcase.   [#911131] $1,250

NY, Little, Brown, (1963). The first issue, which lacks a dedication page. An exceptionally scarce issue -- some knowledgeable sources have speculated that as few as 20 to 30 copies of this issue were released before they were reissued with a tipped-in dedication page. Fine in a dust jacket with a tiny and barely noticeable tear at the spine, else fine.   [#911135] $5,000

NY, Covici Friede, (1936). A powerful novel of migrant farm workers rising up against landowners. Written at a time when much contemporary fiction was geared toward proletarian aspirations, Steinbeck's novel could have been a mere propaganda piece; instead, it is an exploration of ideals, social protest and social justice, and the relationship of mob behavior to individual values and, as such, still resonates with relevance decades later. This is a fine copy in a fine dust jacket. A beautiful copy, and nearly impossible to find in this condition. In a custom clamshell box.   [#911140] $17,500

NY, Knopf, 1972. Her fourth book, which many consider her scarcest. Signed by the author. Stain on the front board, else near fine in a very near fine dust jacket with the slightest smudging on the rear panel.   [#911151] $3,000